Common Mistakes when Renting Apartments in Charlotte, NC

A comfortable and safe apartment in Charlotte, NC is vital. You want to have a home that is worth coming home to. If you are apartment hunting, you get to walk away at some point without having to sell your home. Unfortunately, that doesn’t completely protect you from rental disasters.

You need to find the right apartment, at the right price. There are many rental mistakes that could cost you financially, emotionally, or otherwise. You don’t want to end up regretting your decision, or worse, losing your deposit because you have to move again. It’s important to avoid common renter mistakes.

Here are four mistakes to avoid if you want to get the best possible apartment for you.

1. Not checking out the area

Don’t assume just because you like a house or an apartment that you will like the area around it. You could find a great apartment in the middle of nowhere, but if you enjoy going out with friends and want to live somewhere trendy, then the aesthetically perfect apartment won’t be so perfect for you. You should also consider your commute to work.

Walk around, drive around, and explore the area nearby. You can also check out websites like Neighborhood Scout; you can search for information that is important to you, like crime statistics, schools, and home appreciation. If you know people in the area, make sure to ask them as well. Even if you are moving to a new home within your own community, it still helps to look around.

2. Ignoring your needs

As nice as it is to have a flashy and expensive car, if it doesn’t fit your needs, then you probably shouldn’t buy it. The same is true of rental homes, condos, or apartments. A potential rental can look great from the outside (or on the inside), but if it doesn’t fit your needs, then you won’t be happy for long after you sign the lease. If you are planning to have a roommate, consider how many bathrooms you will need. Is it important to you for there to be an on-site gym? What about a pool? Parking? Do you need a big kitchen? Make sure that you remember your must-haves, and that you don’t get swept away by the way a potential rental looks. It can help to create or go through a checklist to make sure that you get everything you want.

3. Not getting what you can afford

If you find your perfect apartment, but it costs $200 more than you want to spend, then it may not be the right apartment for you.

According to U.S. News and World Report, it will help to do your research and to know what comparable rentals are going for.